Ensilage removing mechanism for mechanized dairy establishments



5 Sheets-Sheet l W. R. PETERSON ET AL DAIRY ESTABLISHMENTS ENSILAGEREMOVING MECHANISM FOR MECHANIZED Original Filed Aug. 29, 1947 Jan. 25,1955 I INV TORS A? P 5 00216611; 0255236 Jan. 25, 1955 w. R. PETERSON ETAL ENSILAGE REMOVING MECHANISM FOR MECHANIZED DAIRY ESTABLISHMENTS 5Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Aug. 29, 1947 m wm P Q 5 w a a mi y w Jan.25, 1955 w. R. PETERSON ET AL ENSILAGE REMOVING MECHANISM FOR MECHANIZEDDAIRY ESTABLISHMENTS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed Aug. 29, 194'?jive/2&5

DUDDUDDUDUUDDD Jan. 25, 1955 w. R. PETERSON ET AL 2,700,478

ENSILAGE REMOVING MECHANISM FOR MECHANIZED DAIRY ESTABLISHMENTS 5Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed Aug. 29, 1947 Jan. 25, 1955 w. R.

ENSILAGE REMOVING MECHANISM FOR MECHANIZED PETERSON ET AL DAIRYESTABLISHMENTS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed Aug. 29, 1947 UnitedStates Patent ENSILAGE REMOVING MECHANISM FOR MECH- ANIZED DAIRYESTABLISHMENTS Walter R. Peterson, Hinsdale, and Adelhert C. Radtke, OakPark, Ill., assignors to International Harvester Company, a corporationof New Jersey Original application August 29, 1947, Serial No. 771,250.Divided and this. application December 21, 1950, Serial No. 202,071

9 Claims. (Cl. 214-2) This application is a division of applicantscopending application relating to a Mechanized Feeding Mechanism forDairy Establishments, Serial No. 771,250, filed August 29, 1947, and nowPatent No. 2,654,344. The invention disclosed in this divisionalapplication pertains to a novel ensilage removing mechanism designed toremove predetermined amounts of ensilage from a trench silo for deliveryto a mechanized feeding barn.

One of the most tedious chores in the feeding operation is the removalof ensilage from the silo. This is usually necessary before any feedingoperation can take p ace.

The ensilage which is an important element in any feeding operationusually is stored in a vertical silo which is immediately adjacent thebarn, or in a trench silo generally removed some distance from the barn.A good portion of the trench silo is usually beneath the surface of theground and can be filled by merely dumping ensilage into the confines ofthe same from the top thereof. Any power shovel or other material movingimplement may be utilized for this purpose.

The vertical silo, on the other hand, requires the elevating of theensilage to the top thereof by a power blower or other elevating means.In either type of silo the greatest difiiculty is the removal ofensilage therefrom. In the vertical silo the farmer finds it necessaryto make a hazardous climb to the top thereof and then manually throw theensilage down onto the ground. In the trench silo the farmer generallyalso has to pitch fork the ensilage to the surface of the groundadjacent the silo, or into a wagon or truck.

On a farm where the farmer has only one silo, the storage of hisensilage presents a considerable problem. The maturing season of thevarious crops differs and therefore they are harvested at differentperiods of time. In a vertical silo therefore the farmer would have topack his grass ensilage at the lower part of the silo. Consequent layersin the silo would be made up of different types of grasses and duringthe latter portion of the season of different types of crops. Therefore,it can be readily understood that the farmer would have a silo packedwith difierent types of ensilage, each layer constituting a difierenttype of feed. Since in conventional constructions the removal of silagetakes place from the top of the silo, the corn ensilage would have to beremoved first. Subsequent layers would thereupon be removed as needed.if the farmer followed this procedure the dairy animals would besubjected to mid-season changes of feeding.

It is generally recognized in the industry that midseason changes offeed are undesirable in that dairy cows generally respond unfavorablyto. such a procedure. It is much more desirable to feed the animal asteady and unchanging diet which has the eifect of promoting greaterproduction and better quality in the final product. Since the farmerrecognizes this undesirable effect of feeding, he thereupon must find adifierent process for storing his ensilage.

the addition of a trench silo. Applicants have provided It is readilyapparent therefore that This may require several vertical silos or atrench silo where the feed may be stored in layers 7 without thedisadvantage of having mid-season changes of feed. It is one ofapplicants prime objects to provide a silo having mechanized means forremoving the ensilage therefrom, the means being arranged to remove ers'of different kinds of silage, therefore obtaining a 2,700,478 PatentedJan. 25, 1955 consistent blend of ensilage. Since the cows therefore arefed the same blend throughout the year, the undesirabdle results ofmid-season feeding changes are eliminate It is a major object to providea dairy barn arranged with a trench silo immediately adjacent thereto,one of the walls of said barn also serving as one wall of the trenchsilo.

Another object is an improved ensilage unloading device for a trenchsilo, the unloading device including a vertical moving endless elevatorfor removing vertical sections of ensilage from packed horizontal layersof ensilage within the trench silo.

A still further object is to provide an unloading device for a trenchsilo, said unloading device including automatic means for loadingensilage into a hopper, said hopper being movable with said unloadingdevice to a position above a belt conveyor arranged to receive the ensilage from the hopper upon the automatic dumping of the same.

These and other objects will become more readily apparent upon a readingof the description when examined in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a dairy barn having its roof removed therefrom to show in planview a mechanized feeding mechanism for supplying feed to the animalssituated within the barn, some of the objects within this barn beingshown in section to better illustrate the invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectonal end view of the barn and feeding mechanism thereintaken along the line 2--2 of Fig. I.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view or" a removable manger belt taken along theline 3-3 of Figure 1, this view showing the relation of the manger beltwith respect to the floor of the barn.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of an ensilage elevator showing itsrelation to a quantity of ensilage packed within a trench silo.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a driving means for an ensilage elevatingmechanism generally taken along the line 55 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a view showing the driving mechanism and reversing mechanismfor an ensilage elevating device generally taken along the line 66 ofFig. 4.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail view showing the relation ship of thevarious parts of a reversing mechanism for an ensilage elevating device.1

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 8- 5 of Fig. '7.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of certain parts plying feed to thedairy animals and consists generally of side walls 11, end walls 12, andan upper supporting floor 13 on which a roof 14 is supported. Theconstruction generally is; of concrete, thereby providing a solidfire-proof building. The lower floor is indicated by number 15.Immediately adjacent one side of the barn structure 10 a trench silo 16is provided. The trench silo is constructed of vertical concrete walls17 extending a considerable distance into the ground, where they arejoined by' a floor or bottom 18. A common vertical wall 19 serves as awall for the trench silo. and also for the barn. The silo thereforealfords protection against weather thus protecting the common wall. areaadjacent this common wall, within the barn, is thus kept relatively warmduring cold weather.

In order to properly permit light to enter the interior of the barn 10,a few courses of glass blocks 20 are laid" vertical sections of ensilagefrom the silo containing lay- 30 between the wall 19 and the upper floor13. An over lapping sectional metal roof 21 is placed over the trench IThis type of barn structure is coin The The ensilage removal andelevating mechanism The ensilage removal and elevating mechanism is bestshown in Figures 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. This ensilage removalmechanism is designated by the reference character 191 arranged withinthe trench silo 16 and is adapted to move longitudinally with respectthereto for removing packed ensilage therefrom. As shown in Figure 4 thepacked ensilage is designated by the letter B. The packed ensilage B ispacked within the silo in horizontal layers of different types andvariations of feed. Grass ensilage is generally harvested during theearlier portion of summer and this ensilage forms the lower layerswithin the silo. Corn silage and other later crops are packed toward thetop of the silo.

The ensilage removal and carrier mechanism 191 includes a rectangularframe structure 192. The frame structure 192 is constructed oftransversely and longitudinally extending angle members 193 weldedtogether to form a rigid structure. A pair of longitudinally spacedshafts 194 are journaled in the angle members 193 and extend outwardlywith respect thereto. Each shaft 194 has pinned thereon a pair of spacedtrack rollers or wheels 195. The upper sides of the concrete walls 17and 19 of the building structure and silo are cut out or recessed toform supporting shoulders 196.

The supporting shoulders 196 each support a longitudinally extendingchannel track section 197. The rollers 195 are arranged to ride uponthese track sections as best shown in Figure 6. A pair of transverselyspaced depending brackets 199 extend downwardly from the angle members193. The brackets 199 support hearing members 200. The bearing members200 rotatably support a transversely extending shaft 201.

An endless ensilage elevating mechanism 202 is suspended from the shaft201 and cross frame 199'. The elevating mechanism 202 consistsessentiallv of three transversely spaced guide members 203. Each guidemember 203 consists of a pair of diverging angle members 204. Thediverging members 204 are each connected at their up er ends to adepending plate 205 hich is connected to the transverse shaft 201 andcross frame 199'. The lower ends of the angle members 204 are rigidlysecured together by means of a plate 205. The lower ends of the plates205' sup ort transversely extending shaft 206 as best shown in Figure 4.The shaft 206 has ionrnaled thereon a pair of transversely spacedsprockets 207. Only one of these sprockets is shown in Figure 4, but itis to be understood that two of these sprockets are provided. each onebeing spaced adjacent the lower ends of the outer guide members 203.

Endless chains 209 are trained about the sprockets 206' and 207. Aplurality of spaced scraper members 210 formed of channel sections arerigidly secured to the chains 209 for movement therewith. The scrapermembers 210, as best shown in Figure 5, are guided at their midd e. andend portions by means of the guide members 203.

As best shown in Figure 4 a pair of arms 211 are supported by the guidemembers 203 and extend longitudinally with respect thereto. Therectangular frame structure 192 has connected thereto at each side aplurality of downwardly extendin supports or guide members 212. The arms211 are also connected to a transversely extending member 211' whichprovides ri idity to the entire structure. The rearmost guide members212 are rigidly connected to the longitudinally extending members 211. Arectangular hopper 213 is positioned between the guide members 212. Thehopper 213 is provided at its lower end with a trap door 214 hingedlyconnected as indicated at 215.

As best shown in Figures 4 and 10. the latch mechanism 216 consists of aslidable member 217 having a hook p rtion 218 and a proiecting port n220. A spring 221 is in engagement with a pin 222 extendin through theslidable member 217. The lower end of the hopper 213 is provided with arecess 219 which engages the hook portion 218. The spring 221 normallyholds the hook portion 218 in engagement with said recess.

The hopper 213 is supported by means of a pair of links 223 which areconnected at their upper ends to a pair of scale beams 224 forming partof a weighing mechanism as best shown in Figure 7. The scale beams 224have their ends pivotally connected to a transversely extending member226 forming part of the rectangular structure of which parts 212 are thecorners. A bracket 227 serves as the pivotal fulcrum for the scale beams224.

The rectangular frame structure 192, on which the hopper 213 issupported, and the elevating mechanism 202 are longitudinally movablewith respect to the trench silo as previously indicated. The elevatingmechanism is also arranged to remove vertical sections of the ensilageB. The drive mechanism for effecting movement of these parts consistsgenerally of an electric motor 230 which is rigidly supported on thesupporting structure 192. The electric motor 230 is provided with adriving shaft 231 which is engageable with a coupling member 232 as bestshown in Figures 6 and 9. A pin 233 extends through the coupling member232 and through a driven shaft 234. The driven shaft 234 is supported atone end in a bracket 235 which is suitably connected to a portion of theframe structure 192.

A V-belt pulley 236 is loosely journaled upon the shaft 234. The pulley236 is provided wtih an extension forming a clutch face 237. Immediatelyadiacent the pulley 236 there is provided, on the shaft 234, a clutchmember 238. The clutch member 238 has an inner projection or key 239whcih is slidable in a key-way or kerf 240 formed in the shaft 234. Thusthe clutch member 238 is driven with the shaft 234. The clutch member238 is provided with clutch faces 241 and 242. The clutch face 241 isengageable with the clutch face 237 of the pulley 236. The clutch face242 is engageable with a clutch face 243 formed at one side of a pulley244. The pulley 244, similar to the pulley 236, is loosely journaled onthe shaft 234.

As best shown in Figure 6, a V-belt 245 is driven from the pulley 236.The V-belt in turn drives a pulley 246 which is ri idly secured to ashaft 247. A pulley 248 is also rigidly secured to this shaft. Thispulley 248 is driven by a twisted belt 249 which is driven by the pulley244. The shaft 234 is constantly rotating with the motor 230. In orderto effect movement of either of the pulleys 236 and 244 the clutchmember 238 is placed in engagement with either of the clutch faces ofsaid respective pulleys. The shaft 247 is journaled on bearing members251 rigidly secured to depending brackets 252 and 253.

As best shown in Figures 4 and 6 a pulley 254 is rigidly secured indriving engagement with the shaft 247. The pullev 254 drives a belt 255which is trained about a pulley 256 which drives a sprocket 257. Thesprocket 257 is in driving en agement with a chain 258 which. engagessprockets 259 and 260. The sprocket 260 is rigidly connected to shaft261 which is journaled in a bearing member 262. A sprocket 263 is drivenby the shaft 261 and this s rocket 263 drives a chain 264 forrotating asprocket 265. The sprocket 265 is arranged to rotate a sleeve 266journaled on the shaft 194. The sleeve 266 is provided at one end with aclutch face 267 which is in engagement with a clutch face 268 rigidlysecured to the shaft 194. Rotating movement is thus imparted to theshaft 194 thereby driving one set of wheels 195 to move the mechanismlongitudinally on the tracks 197.

As best shown in Figures 4 and 6 the end of the shaft 247 has securedfor rotation thereon a pulley 269. Thepulley 269 is in drivingengagement with a belt 270. The belt 270 drives a pulley 271 rigidlysecured to a shaft 272. The shaft 272 is carried on a depending bracket273. The shaft 272 drives a sprocket 274 which rotates a chain 275connected to a sprocket 276. The sprocket 276 drives the shaft 201,which in turn drives sprockets 206'. The chains 208 are thereby driven,thus eifecting vertical movement of the scraper members 210.

It can now readily be seen that operation of the motor 230 is effectiveto drive the elevator mechanism vertically Y and to move the completeframe structure 192 longitudinally with respect to the trench silo.

.As best shown in F'gures 6, 7 and 8, a plate member.

277 is rigidly secured to a portion of the supporting structure 192. Anarm 278 extends transversely inwardly with respect to the plate member.The arm 278 is provided with an extension 279 which projects into a slot280 formed in the plate member 277. The arm 278 is free to pivotangularly with respect to the slot 280. A pair of collars 281 encirclethe clutch member 238. The collars 201 are secured to the arm 278 bymeans of pins 282. The outer end of the arm 278 is connected to a link283. The link 283 is movable in a reciprocating manner to shift the arm278 angularly, thereby moving the clutch member 238. As best shown inFigure 9 movement of the clutch member 238 along the shaft 234 providesfor engagement with the clutch faces on the pulleys 236 and 244.

A triangularly shaped plate member 284 is connected at one of its endsto the link 283. The plate member 284 is pivotally connected to abracket 285 supported on the elevator cross-frame structure. The platemember 284 is further pivotally connected to a link 287 which ispivotally connected with a link 280 to a bracket 288. The links 287' and288 and the plate member 284 form a toggle linkage which is actuated bymeans of a solenoid 289. A depending arm 290 is pivotally connected asindicated at 291 to the pivotal juncture of the plate member 284 withthe link 287. The arm 290 has a vertical slot 292 which functions. withthe scale beam structure 224 as. will presently be described.

A centrifugally operable switch is generally designated by the referencecharacter 293. The switch 293 includes a pair of centrifugal weightmembers 294 which are pivoted to move a collar 295. The collar 295 ismovable longitudinally with respect to the shaft 234 by means of aspring 296 which urges the weight members 294 to an inward or closedposition when at rest. The switch 293 is of a conventional type and isconnected in a conventional manner to the shaft 234 for rotationtherewith. The collar 295 is adapted to engage a pivot arm 297 which ispivoted on a bracket 298. The arm 297 is also positioned to engage asecond pivot member 299 which is also pivoted on a bracket 298. Thepivoted arm 299 has mounted thereon a mercury switch 300 which may beactuated by angular movement of the arm 29.9. The switch 300 as shown inFigure 6 is in a closed position.

The ends of the scale beams 224 are connected to a link 301. The link301 is provided at one end with a nut 302 and is slidable in thevertical slot 292 of the member 290. The lower end of the link 301 isconnected to a pair of toggle links 303 and 304. The toggle link 304 isconnected to a movable arm 305 and the toggle link 303 is connected to astationary plate member 306., A link 307 is also pivotally connected tothe toggle link 304 and the movable arm 305. The other end of the link307 is connected to a pivoted arm 308, which has at its upper end amercury switch 309. The movable arm 305 is connected at one end to aspring 310 which in turn is connected to a cord 311 wound upon a ratchetmechanism 312. The ratchet mechanism 312 is of conventional design andmerely is for the purpose of adjusting the tension of the spring 310.The plate member 306 has a number of indices thereon which may bealigned with a pointer 314 connected to the spring 310. The ensilageremoval mechanism delivers the material to an ensilage feeding mechanism320 and hopper 321 which conveys it to the movable manger belt 30.

As shown in the wiring diagram Figure 11, wires 505, 506 and 5.07 leadto an electrical feed rail 508, 509 and 510. Current to the electricalfeed rail may be broken by means of a manual switch 511 which is mountedon the control box 500. Wires 512, 513 and 514 are connected at one endto respective contacts 515, 516 and 517 which are energized from thefeed rails 508, 509 and 510. The wire 512 extends to a terminal on themotor 230. The wire 513 extends to the mercury switch 300 which ispivoted on the ensilage elevating mechanism as shown in Figure 15. Wire514 extends to a two-way switch 309 which is pivoted on the ensilageelevating mechanism also shown in Figure 15.

A two point break switch 518 is connected in the circuit shown by wire514. The switch 518 is mounted on the hopper guide members 212 by meansof a bracket 519 as shown in Figure 4. The switch is pivoted asindicated at 520 upon guide member 212. A stop 521 is fastened to aportion of the side wall of the silo and is arranged so that it mayengage and trip the mercury switch 518. In the position indicated inFigure 4 the mercury switch 518' is in an off position. A two-way breakswitch. 522 is also connected in' series with the switch 518 and isactuated simultaneously with the bracket 519. A wire 52-3 is connectedat one end to the wire 512 and at its other end to the solenoid 289, asbest shown in Figure 11.

A switch 524 is also provided in the circuit indicated by wire 514. Theswitch 524 may be located anywhere within the silage room for readyaccess to the operator. The switch 309 has connected, at one of itsends, a wire 525 which extends to the motor 230.

Operation Before the manger belt 31 is. set intooperation for conveyingfeed adjacent, the feeding end of the stalls, it is necessary that apredetermined amount of ensilage first be removed from the trench siloand deposited in the ensilage feeding mechanism 320. After the dailyfeeding operation, or at such time. most convenient to the farmer,

he generally operates the ensilage elevating mechanism to.

make certain that sufficient ensilage is dumped into the feedingmechanism ready for the next, days feeding. The procedure and operationof the ensilage. elevating mechanism in the removal of ensilage from thetrench silo will now be described as a preliminary before the feedingoperation begins. y

In an accurate feeding operation the farmer determines the amount ofensilage necessary for his herd. He there upon can. adjust the ensilageremoval mechanism to fill the. feeding mechanism 320 to the requiredquantity of ensilage. After noting the total amount of ensilage neededit is necessary to manually set the ratchet mechanism 312 of the silageweighing device thereby adjusting the tension of spring 310 in order tocontrol the movement of the scale beams 224 so that the predeterminedamount of ensilage will be collected and delivered to the ensilagefeeding mechanism. Supposing that the eight cows re quire 2.00 pounds offeed, the pointer 314 would be placed opposite the indice #200 on theplate member 306., When he has thus determined what the. total require.-ments are for the eight cows to be fed, the farmer adjusts the ratchetmechanism 312, Figure 6,. to tension the spring 3.10 to a requiredtension. This tension is deter: mined by setting the pointer 314opposite the indice #200 on the plate member 306 as mentioned above.Having thus set the weighing mechanism in its proper indi-- cation, thefarmer is ready to actuate the elevating mechanism.

The farmer manually closes switch 511, thereby energizing the feed railfor the silage elevator. As the feed. rails 508, 509, and 510 areenergized the electric: motor 230 begins operating. As this motor isrotating the driven wheels drive the ensilage removal and. carriermechanism 191 toward, the packed ensilage. The scraper members 210 ofthe elevating mechanisms are moving: upwardly, and as the carriermechanism approaches the. ensilage, the scraper elements are broughtinto. engagement with the ensilage. As. has previously been described,the ensilage ispacked within the trench silo in layers of various. typesof feed. The scraper members 210 remove vertical sections of theensilage. Thus each hopper full of ensilage contains a blend of thevarious layers of silage packed within the trench silo.

The scraper members 210 elevate the ensilage and dumpthe same into thehopper 213. The hopper 213 is vertically movable as carried by the links223. As a certain amount of ensilage, in this instance 200 pounds, is

. packed within the hopper 213, the scale beams 224 start to pivot onthe brackets 227.

As best shown in Figures 6 and 7, the inner adjacent ends of the scalebeams move upwardly. As these scale beams move upwardly, the link 301moves upwardly in the slot 292 of the bracket 290. The toggle links 303and 304 also move upwardly, causing the switch 309 to rotate breakingelectrical contact. As the switch 309 is broken, the rotation of themotor 230 stops and the elevating scraper mechanism and movement of theensilage removal mechanism is stopped.

In the previous operating position the clutch'member 238 was inengagement with the V-belt pulley 237 thereby driving the mechanismforwardly into the ensilage. It is now desired to shift the clutchelement'23'0 into en; gagement with the pulley 244, thereby reversingthe driving mechanism so that the ensilage remover and carrier mechanismis driven rearwardly to a position above the ensilage feeding mechanism320 as best shown in Figure 4.

The centrifugally operable switch 293 is now in the position shown inFigure 6. The centrifugal weights 294 have come to rest in an inwardposition and the pivoted member 297 is in a vertical position in contactwith the bracket 298. The mercury switch 300 as shown in Figure 6 is inan angular position and electric contact is made, thus energizingsolenoid 289. Solenoid 289 unlocks the toggle links 287, and 288 andbracket 284 moves about its pivotal point 291. As the bracket 284 ispivoted about its pivotal point, a link 283 shifts the clutch member238, the clutch face 242 of said member thus engaging clutch face 243 ofthe pulley 244. The shaft 234 is thereupon connected to the pulley 244for driving the ensilage remover and carrier mechanism 191 in a reversedirection. The bracket 290 by virtue of its connection to the arm 284and the link 287 has been forced upwardly, by the scale beams 224, inturn also moving the links 303 and 304 upwardly past a horizontalposition. The links 303 and 304 actually are moved upwardly to thedotted line position indicated by 303 in Figure 6. By movement of thelinks 303 and 384 to this position the mercury switch 309 is again movedto an on" position, thereby actuating the motor 230 to start movement ofthe ensilage removal and carrier mechanism 191.

The ensilage removal and carrier mechanism 191 now is driven rearwardly.The hopper 213 moves to a position in alignment with the ensilagefeeding mechanism 320. At this position a stop 521 is engaged by the arm519. The arm 519 is pivoted, thereby tilting the mercury switch 518 toan off position, whereupon the motor 230 comes to rest.

As best shown in Figure 10, as the hopper 213 comes to rest above theensilage feeding mechanism 320, a projecting member 220 of the latchmechanism 216 engages an angle member which is a part of the hopper 321.The slidable member 217 is thereupon moved so that the hook portion 218is removed from the slot 219 of an angle member forming a part of thehopper 213. The door bottom 214 is now free to pivot downwardly aboutpivot 215 and the ensilage thereupon is dumped into the ensilage feedingmechanism 320. The door 214, best shown in Figure 4, in its downposition drops into vertical alignment with the low side wall 323,thereby forming one side of the hopper 321.

When the arm 519 engages the stop 521, a switch 522 is also actuated toopen up the circuit 523 going to the solenoid 289. Since thepredetermined amount of ensilage is now within the feeding mechanism 320the feeding units of the barn can be placed into operation. When it isdesired to again start the operation of the ensilage removal and carriermechanism 191, the clutch parts 238, the arm 284, the scale beams 229,and the toggle links 303 and 304 are manually reset, whereupon the cycleof operation may be repeated.

The operator may now wish to have sufficient ensilage on hand for thesubsequent feeding, wherefore he presses the elevator on switch 511.Since the hopper 213 is still positioned above the ensilage feedingmechanism 320 the switch 518 is in an off position. He thereupon alsomanually actuates the switch 524 which causes the motor 230 to operate,thereby driving the ensilage elevating mechanism forwardly and away fromthe stop 521. The switch 518 is thereupon again energized and the cycleof operation is continued as previously above described.

It can be seen that a novel mechanism has been provided for removingensilage from a trench silo, the arrangement being such that a minimumamount of supervision is required by the operator.

What is claimed is:

l. The combination with a trench silo, of means for removing ensilagefrom the silo including, a supporting structure arranged to movehorizontally with respect to the silo, an endless movable belt supportedon said supporting structure, said belt being movable in a verticaldirection substantially parallel to a vertical surface formed by one endof the ensilage, said belt extending downwardly substantially near thefloor of the silo, scraper elements connected to said belt, said scraperelements being arranged to move upwardly thereby removing portions ofthe ensilage and conveying the same to the upper end of the silo, acontainer for receiving the, ensilage from said scraper elements, meansconnecting said container to the supporting structure for movementtherewith, power means for moving said supporting structure and saidscraper elements into engagement with said ensilage, and meansconstructed and arranged to automatically reverse the horizontalmovement of said supporting structure, thereby moving said scraperelements out of engagement with the ensilage upon the loading of saidcontainer to a predetermined capacity.

2. The combination with a trench silo, of means for removing ensilagefrom the silo including, a supporting structure arranged to movehorizontally with respect to the silo, an endless movable belt supportedon said supporting structure, said belt being movable in a verticalplane substantially parallel to a vertical surface formed by one wall ofthe ensilage, scraper elements connected to said belt, said scraperelements being arranged to move upwardly thereby removing portions ofthe ensilage and conveying the same to the upper end of the silo, acontainer for receiving the ensilage from said scraper elements, meansconnecting said container to the supporting structure for movementtherewith, power means for moving said supporting structure and saidscraper elements into engagement with said ensilage, and a weighingmechanism constructed and arranged to automatically stop and reverse thehorizontal movement of said supporting structure, thereby moving saidscraper elements out of engagement with the ensilage upon the loading ofsaid container to a predetermined capacity.

3. The combination with a trench silo, of means for removing ensilagefrom said silo including a supporting structure, means movablysupporting said supporting structure for longitudinal movement withrespect to said silo, an elevator mechanism supported by said supportingstructure, said elevator mechanism being arranged to engage and removevertical sections of the silage, a receiving hopper arranged to receiveensilage from said elevator mechanism, power means arranged to move saidelevator into engagement with the ensilage, and a reversing mechanismautomatically operable with said power means and arranged andconstructed to reverse movement of said supporting means in a directionaway from said ensilage, upon the loading of said hopper to a predetersilo, an elevator mechanism supported by said supporting structure, saidelevator mechanism being arranged to engage and remove vertical sectionsof the silage, a receiving hopper supported on said supporting structureand arranged to receive ensilage from said elevator mechanism, powermeans arranged to move said elevator into engagement with the ensilageand a reversing mechanism automatically operable with said power meansand arranged and constructed to reverse movement of said supportingmeans in a direction away from said ensilage, upon the loading of saidhopper to a predetermined capacity, thereby disengaging said elevatormechanism from said ensilage.

5. In combination with a trench silo, of means for removing ensilagefrom said silo including a supporting structure, means movablysupporting said supporting structure for longitudinal movement withrespect to said silo, an elevator mechanism supported by said supportingstructure, said elevator mechanism being arranged to engage and removevertical sections of the silage, a receiving hopper arranged to receiveensilage from said elevator mechanism, power means arranged to move saidelevator into engagement with the ensilage and a reversing mechanismincluding a weight responsive mechanism automatically operable with saidpower means and arranged and constructed to reverse movement of saidsupporting means in a direction away from said ensilage, upon theloading of said receiving hopper to a predetermined capacity, therebydisengaging said elevator mechanism from said ensilage.

6. The combination with a trench silo for containing ensilage, of meansfor removing ensilage from said silo comprising an elevating mechanismincluding an endless belt, said belt including ensilage elevatingmembers arranged to engage and remove sections of ensilage from avertical face of ensilage, power means for moving said.

belt and said ensilage elevating members upwardly, a hopper connected tosaid elevating mechanism for receiving said ensilage from the ensilageelevating members, power means for continually moving said elevatingmechanism horizontally toward said ensilage, reversing mechanism forsaid elevating mechanism, said reversing mechanism including a weightresponsive mechanism constructed and arranged to automatically reversethe direction of horizontal movement of said elevating mechanism uponthe loading of said hopper to a predetermined capacity, a stationaryhopper arranged to receive the ensilage from the hopper on saidelevating mechanism, means adjacent said stationary hopper arranged toautomatically stop horizontal movement of said elevating mechanism whensaid elevating mechanism reaches a me determined position, and areleasable door mechanism on said elevating hopper, said mechanismincluding a latch automatically operable to release said door fordumping ensilage into said stationary hopper.

7. The combination with a trench silo for containing silage, of meansfor removing ensilage from said silo comprising an elevating mechanismincluding an endless belt, said belt including ensilage elevatingmembers arranged to engage and remove sections of ensilage from avertical face of ensilage, power means for moving said belt and saidensilage elevating members upwardly, a hopper connected to saidelevating mechanism for receiving said ensilage from the ensilageelevating members, power means for continuously moving said elevatingmechanism horizontally toward said ensilage, reversing mechanism forsaid elevating mechanism, said reversing mechanism including a weightresponsive mechanism constructed and arranged to automatically reversethe direction of horizontal movement of said elevating mechanism uponthe loading of said hopper to a predetermined capacity, a stationaryhopper arranged to receive the ensilage from the hopper on saidelevating mechanism, and means adjacent said stationary hopper arrangedto automatically stop horizontal movement of said elevating mechanism.

8. The combination with a trench silo for containing ensilage, of meansfor removing ensilage from said silo comprising an elevating mechanismincluding an endless belt, said belt including ensilage elevatingmembers arranged to engage and remove sections of ensilage from avertical face of ensilage, power means for moving said belt and saidensilage elevating members upwardly, a hopper connected to saidelevating mechanism for receiving said ensilage from the ensilageelevating members,

power means for continuously moving said elevating mechanismhorizontally toward said ensilage, reversing mechanism for saidelevating mechanism, said reversing mechanism including a weightresponsive mechanism constructed and arranged to automatically reversethe direction of horizontal movement of said elevating mechanism uponthe loading of said hopper to a predetermined capacity, a stationaryhopper arranged to receive the ensilage from the hopper on saidelevating mechanism, and means adjacent said stationary hopper arrangedto automatically stop horizontal movement of said elevating mechanism.

9. The combination with a trench silo for containing ensilage, of meansfor removing ensilage from said silo comprising an elevating mechanismincluding an endless belt, ensilage elevating members on said beltarranged to engage and remove sections of ensilage from a vertical faceof ensilage, a hopper connected to said elevating mechanism forreceiving ensilage, power means for moving said belt and said ensilageelevating members vertically, power means for moving said elevatingmechanism horizontally toward said ensilage, reversing mechanism forsaid elevating mechanism, said reversing mechanism including a weightresponsive mechanism constructed and arranged to automatically reversethe direction of horizontal movement of said elevating mechanism uponthe loading of said hopper to a predetermined capacity.

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